SILK WORMS. 105 



the eggs dipped in that water. The water should be nei- 

 ther too cold nor too warm ; it ought to be kept at the tem- 

 perature of the human body. 



SAME WORK. 



Before the worms are hatched, the eggs should be 

 weighed, and the weight written on the back of the paper 

 to which they are attached. When the silk worms are 

 hatched, take care not to separate them from the paper. 

 There are many persons, who as soon as they see the 

 worms hatch, detach them from the paper, with a small 

 broom or quill ; but these little beings, as delicate and slen- 

 der as a hair, or a bit of silk, cannot support the wounds 

 given them with the broom or quill. The mulberry leaves 

 must be cut into extremely fine shreds, and spread in an 

 equal manner, upon a large sheet of paper. The side of 

 the paper, on which the worms are hatching, must be 

 applied to that which is covered with bits of the mulberry 

 leaves. The worms liking the smell of mulberry leaves, 

 descend themselves on the paper, destined to receive them. 



Then the paper, on which the eggs were, must be newly 

 weighed ; the quantity of hatched worms will be known, 

 and it can be calculated how many leaves will be required 

 to feed them. It is much better to have more leaves than 

 are wanted for the number of silk worms to be raised. 

 Then an abundant nourishment will be had for the silk 

 worms, and one will not be exposed to the misfortune 

 caused by a scarcity of leaves. 



There are many persons who do not make this calcula- 

 tion beforehand ; but when the leaves are about failing, 

 they find themselves reduced to the most painful extremi- 

 ties ; they pawn, or sell their effects to procure them. 

 14 





